Facebook Messenger ends peer-to-peer payments in the UK and France
From the 15th June, Facebook Messenger users in the UK and France will no longer be able to make peer-to-peer payments on the platform. Users will still be able to make charitable donations via the messaging app and p2p payments will continue in the US. Commenting on the update, a Facebook spokesperson said, “we made the decision to focus our efforts on experiences that people find most useful.”
Facebook makes Ads Manager updates
Facebook has begun rolling out an updated version of its Ads Manager interface which includes simplified navigation features, a cleaner design and a new campaign management experience. The platform is also updating its Business Manager platform to make it easier for agencies to onboard new clients. Both updates are part of a wider rollout of a new design system to help boost the efficiency of Facebook’s business tools. In addition, Facebook is also introducing a new ‘cost cap bidding’ option for campaigns to allow advertisers to set a maximum CPA, in order to improve efficiency and results.
Facebook confirms an AI voice assistant for Portal and Oculus
The social network has confirmed that it is working on an AI digital voice assistant but, this time, looking at its AR/VR product range. Facebook says it is focusing less on messaging (RIP M) and more on platforms in which hands-free interaction, via voice control and perhaps even gesture control, is paramount. The Verge speculates that Facebook “may not position the product as a competitor to Alexa or similar platforms, but as more of a feature exclusive to its growing family of hardware devices”.
Instagram tests hiding Likes and other new updates for Android
A design change test has been reported in Instagram’s Android code which could see the social network remove its public Like counter from posts. While the platform would still show some faces of those who have liked the post, including ones you follow, only the poster would see the grand total. Instagram has confirmed that the design is an internal prototype but said that it wants “followers to focus on what you share; not how many likes your posts get” – as it looks to improve user wellbeing on the platform.
Several prototypes were also spotted in the Android code, including chat thread stickers for Direct messages, augmented reality filters for Direct Video calls, emoji reactions to feed posts, a shopping bag for commerce, and more.
LinkedIn adds Teammates option, highlighting posts from co-workers
The professional network is looking to boost its users’ team spirit with the introduction of ‘Teammates’, a new feature which highlights posts from people you work with directly. ‘Teammates’ will be rolled out across the US over the coming months; being extended globally shortly after. For those with access, a new ‘Add Teammates’ option will appear next to the ‘My Network’ menu where you can add connections including managers, peers and direct reports. Posts from these users will be prioritised in the feed.
Google introduces Currents, its enterprise replacement to Google+ Google has formally unveiled its Google+ alternative for G Suite users, a competitor to Facebook’s Workplace and Microsoft’s Yammer, Google Currents (actually, the second product to be released under that name). While the new platform has a similar aesthetic to Google+, the offering has been streamlined to make it faster to post content and tag it. Google+ posts will automatically be transferred over to Currents and all G Suite companies can now request access to the programme.
